As an insurance professional do you believe in the” butterfly effect theory”? Do you think success or failure is all just a random set of circumstances or just dumb luck? Or do you believe in creating your own luck and destiny? Do you believe that every little detail comes into play that determines our success or failures if we are paying attention? Let’s explore the theory.
The “Butterfly Effect Theory” simply states that a butterfly flapping its wings on the coast of Africa can affect weather patterns that could spawn a tornado in Texas. The theory deals with the phenomenon that just a small or slight change in a chain of events can have large effects elsewhere through the course of time. A mathematician and meteorologist at MIT by the name of Edward Lorenz came up with this mathematical theory in winter of 1961. It seems to have uses in our lives and our businesses as well.
Take the story of James Smith, a humble kid from Mississippi. He joined the U.S. Marines and started going by his middle name Fred. He was in charge of military logistics during his two tours of duty in Vietnam. A useful skill he wouldn’t even realize at the time. When Fred returned back to the states he enrolled for his college degree at Yale. While there he wrote a class paper to a professor concerning how a private business could move “mail” faster and more efficient than the U.S. Postal Service. His wise professor gave his paper a “C”, not because it wasn’t very well written, but because his vision was so ludicrous that the professor saw it as totally unfeasible. James Fredrick Smith took his paper and set out to prove it was feasible. Fred Smith is the CEO and founder of Federal Express or Fed Ex. The company is now worth over $22 billion and Fred’s personal net worth is north of $2 billion. Do you see the “Butterfly Effect”? The professor giving young Fred a “C” drove him to prove his professor wrong. That one small event changed a large chain of events for thousands of employees and millions of customers around the world. It quite literally changed the speed of how companies do business today.
Think about the very small changes you can make as an insurance agent. Just one more phone call, one more email, one more networking event or help that one person you knew would never buy from you. See just one little act can set forth a chain of events that can determine ones success or failure in the insurance business. The next time you are ready to call it quits, tell yourself, “just one more time”.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”—Maya Angelou
Image by www.sosuperawesome.net
Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger and team leader with over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.
Great article. Inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kind words Robin.
Great article. It seems in this business, it is the little things that have the greatest effect overall. Huge expensive mailings, large mixer events do not deliver the same response as does the smaller gestures; A directed email to a client, the gentle reminder when seeing someone at a charity event….these seem to make client-partner relationships that last a lifetime. Thanks for reminding me to keep the faith!!!
Michael, I appreciate your kind words. I agree it’s all in the small things that can make a big difference. Thank you for sharing.
This is very true I was told by a great friend co-worker “Keep your head Up. A Smile and a Handshake everytime, and every no leads to a yes”
Absolutely Bridget! It’s the small things that lead to the big things. thank you for sharing.
I got into this article which suipersrs me since this isn’t one of my interests. You did such a good job of presenting your facts that I couldn’t stop reading.
Thank you, sometimes we all need to be reminded to make that next or one more call – Butterfly Effect in action, yes!
Thank you for your kind words Sue. I really appreciate. Keep pushing forward!
What a great article and true story. I know we can make a difference in our client’s life. Purchasing the right amount of Life insurance can impact a family for gernerations yet conversley not having life insurance can have a negative impact on a family for generations. Let’s all practice the ButterFly Effect.
Cheryl Evans
Cheryl, thank you for your kind words. I agree wholeheartedly, what we sell is vitally important.
Thanks so much for this great reminder of how we impact life and life impacts us. Thanks for reminding us of how the products we sell or promote can be life changing!
Great reminder!!! Thanks for the article!
Constance and King thank you both for your kind words. I wish you much continued success doing that one extra thing each day.
We do tend to forget how that magic word “ASK” can really make a difference in the life of not only the butterfly but his family.